Restored fireplaces and door casting add some old-fashioned charm to this Victorian-style hotel, which was built in the 1850s. There's a small, charming lobby with wood floors, gold trim around the ceilings, antique light fixtures, and vintage wooden armchairs in addition to a fireplace and a large, bright window. Free coffee and tea are provided around the clock. Vintage Olympic posters line the walls of the cozy, home-like breakfast room. Wood floors and tables are matched to blue chairs, and the space is lit up with track lighting. Note that there's no elevator at the property. 

The Shakespeare Hotel is situated in a row house across the street from Norfolk Square Gardens. Paddington Station is a five-minute walk away, while Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens take around 10 minutes to reach on foot. Marble Arch and Portman Square are a five-minute drive while the London Zoo, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, and Regent’s Park are 10 minutes from the hotel by car. A trip on the Heathrow Express takes about 20 minutes from the airport to Paddington, making this a convenient location for travelers coming in from a flight. 

The Shakespeare offers a range of room types, from snug Single Rooms all the way to five-bed Family Rooms, all with a quaint, simple style. Rooms have wooden floors, red striped bedspreads, and nature artwork on the walls, and big windows let in lots of natural light. Amenities include wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Some also have safes. Some rooms have balconies with seating and exceptional park views while others have detailed crown molding and fireplaces. Traditional bathrooms feature multicolored tile, white sinks, and walk-in showers, but toiletries are not provided, and some have a reportedly musty odor.

A continental breakfast is included in room rates and comes with hardboiled eggs, waffles, toast, cereal, yogurt, and fruit. The hotel also has a game room with a pool table and a foosball table along with a small business center made up of two computers and black office chairs. Concierge services are provided in addition to a 24/7 front desk with faxing and photocopying services. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, but it costs extra.